Yekooche First Nation Hiring for School Principal Job at Yekooche Full Time

Relocation Allowance, Subsidized Rent,

2 weeks paid Christmas Break, 5% Employer pension contribution.

Are we the Community you want to live and work in?

The Yekooche First Nation traditional territory is located about 85 km northwest of Fort St James British Columbia, it’s a 1.25-hour drive on a logging road from Fort St. James and about 3 hours from Prince George. It comprises 4 reserves on a total of roughly 180 hectares. Most of our band members live in Reserve #3 (Yekooche) located along the northwest arm of Stuart Lake, where Nan’cut Creek drains Cunningham Lake into Stuart Lake.

Do you love the outdoors? Our territory abounds with opportunities for hunting, fishing, ice fishing, trapping, and living off the land. We share this land with bears, moose, rabbits, grouse, porcupines, beaver, salmon, and eagles, many varieties of berries, as well as herbs and medicines. Ample opportunities to explore the territory by snowmobile, ATV, snow shoes, kayak, and even sled from time to time.

The perks of being semi-isolated: pure water, clean air, peace and quiet, bright stars and Northern Lights, all four seasons, and the opportunity to live and learn on this land with the Dak’elh people who have thrived here since time immemorial

The people of Yekooche value their land, language, culture, and history. You will be welcomed into the community where you will discover the peoples’ strong sense of tradition – as well as their sense of humour: teasing means we like you! If hunting isn’t your thing, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in story-telling, singing, dancing, and drumming. We have approx. 200 members, and about half live in Yekooche.
Visit http://www.yekooche.com/ for more information.

Are You the Principal We’re Looking For?

Yekooche First Nation’s vision for its students is that they leave school with the ability to walk in two worlds; we need to prepare them to have a positive impact in their own community as well as out into the broader world. The children of Yekooche First Nation need to be deeply rooted in their land, language, and culture AND they need the skills, knowledge, and understandings that will allow them to access all areas of the broader Canadian and global society. The school has around 20 students from K-10, broken into three groupings.

These are the important questions for us:

• Do you believe all students can learn to high levels?
• What does that statement mean to you?
• Is it academics OR whole child? Or is it academics AND whole child?
• How to use the BC Curriculum to overcome the historic damage and systemic barriers the Western educational model has imposed on our people?
• How to move beyond remediation? How to accelerate?

Learning is reciprocal. You don’t need to know the Dak’elh language, or how to tan a moose hide – you just need to be willing and eager to learn – we will learn from each other.

Primary Qualifications

First and foremost we are looking for a collaborative, idealistic, and joyful educator and administrator who feels alignment with our vision for our children’s education. If you are a BC certified teacher AND our vision for our students resonates with you, we want to talk with you.

The position of Principal is responsible for the direct supervision of Jean Marie Joseph School, Jean Marie Joseph Adult School and the Yekooche Headstart Program. The Principal is expected to contribute to the development, promotion, and implementation of a positive working environment and to work in partnership with the Education Coordinator and the Yekooche Education Society (YES) to provide high-engagement leadership for Yekooche’s education system.

This will include the provision of inspirational and innovative supervision practices, team building strategies, strong interdepartmental communication and collaboration, and relationship building with community members and partnering agencies.

The Principal reports directly to the Education Coordinator. The Principal will be responsible for oversight and effective management of teaching staff. The Principal will work in collaboration with the Education Coordinator to establish programs and services offered in connection with education facilities. Supervision and oversight will be conducted in a manner that promotes and supports collaboration and inclusion, upholds community values, and promotes community engagement.

The Principal will work within the parameters of annual operating budgets with clearly outlined expenditures. Any additions, revisions, and development of requests for additional funds through the drafting of proposals must receive approval and signoff from the Education Coordinator prior to submission. The Principal will be responsible for tracking and reporting all expenditures to the Education Coordinator for approval.

Primary Responsibilities

The Principal is expected to participate in, and lend expertise to, education system redesign to promote improved educational outcomes for Nation members including the development of effective programming, strengthening the educational team, increasing access to additional resources, and developing of expanded programming.

Duties will include;

• In collaboration with the Education Coordinator, seize opportunities to maximize education opportunities under current Yekooche First Nation and INAC programs
• Work in consultation and collaboration with the Education Coordinator and the YES regarding community engagement, performance management for all staff, and advancement of Jean Marie Joseph School and education programs
• Work in collaboration with the Education Coordinator and the YES to identify and secure opportunities for program development and expansion within the education department programs
• Work in collaboration with the Education Coordinator and the YES to implement the School Growth Plan as outlined in the School Assessment
• Provide advocacy for, and support to, members participating in Nation education programs as well as team members when requested
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with departmental administrators and staff
• Provide effective administration and oversight to all programs operating within the Aboriginal Head Start Program, Jean Marie Joseph School, and Jean Marie Joseph Adult Centre, and affiliated programs as requested. Duties will include;

• Build awareness of, and support school staff to follow, all applicable YFN codes and policies
• Inform the Education Coordinator of regular school maintenance requirements and assist with coordination of maintenance needs as requested by the Education Coordinator
• Consult the Education Coordinator and Director of Education & Employment prior to providing on-the-job training and mentorship support to members of the education team
• Develop work plans and complete and submit reporting to the Education Coordinator for JMJS, Head Start, and JMJAS initiatives
• Submit for review and submission to the Education Coordinator any completed proposals, contribution agreements, or contracts
• Initiate the effort to recruit and retain school staff in consultation with the Education Coordinator and the YFN Hiring Committee
• Responsible for required reporting to INAC for nominal roll and other reporting as required
• Become involved in community activities that promote the school, education programs, and support relationship building with community members·
• Attend monthly Managers Meetings, Education Committee Meetings and team training as scheduled

• The Principal will provide and model effective collaboration and engagement with a focus on community inclusion and relationship building.

• Responsible for teaching duties and other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid BC Teaching Certificate.
• An appreciation of First Nation culture and way of life
• Previous experience in working with First Nation schools and education programs
• Must be willing and able to pass a criminal record check

Competencies

• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural context with specific regard for Carrier culture and practice
• Provision of a positive example of overall wellness and professionalism through the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and a positive community image
• Knowledgeable of Aboriginal approaches to education and learning
• Understanding the role of Traditional teaching and learning philosophies
• Knowledgeable of the complementary services available to the community
• Strong organizational, communication, rapport building, and analytical skills.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to establish positive rapport and relationships with community members, Elders, and members of the Yekooche staff team.
• Possess the skills necessary to set appropriate professional boundaries, maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality, and conflict management, demonstrate equity for all, and hold themselves to a high degree of professionalism.

Benefits

• 2 weeks paid Christmas Break and Spring Break
• Subsidized Rent
• Pay only $350 per month + phone/internet for a 3-bedroom duplex or receive free rent if you share a duplex with another staff member
• 5% Employer pension contribution
• Competitive Health Benefits
• Lakes and mountains minutes from your door

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $85,000.00-$115,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime

Licence/Certification:

• Canadian Teaching Certificate (required)

Work Location: One location